"Yet Another Christian Blog" as the title says. Plenty of religious fluff on the internet nowadays. So how do you know which ones are right? How about the ones that follow the written Word of the Bible?

Sound too easy? It is easy! We read the Bible to learn about God's plans and will for our lives. I created this site mainly to document my studies for my own benefit and to provide some online sermons. See you on the other side?

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

You have to ask to be born again. This is what separates the gospel from religion. Religion is man's effort to try to reach God. Be it through superstition, good deeds, charity work, ect. But Salvation is God reaching down to man to make him a new creation. It can't be bought.

So after birth must come growth. Growth in what? Grace.

Before we discuss what growing in grace is, lets first talk about what it is not.

It does not mean becoming more saved than at the moment of conversion.

It does not mean becoming more pardoned or forgiven than at the moment of conversion.

It does not mean becoming more justified than at the moment of conversion.

Lets think about the expectations of a physical growth. Think about a new born child. At one month old it weights less than 10 pounds and is nearly helpless. But at 30 years old it should weigh much more and be self sustaining. There is a large contrast between being one month old and 30 years old. If there wasn't, there would be something seriously wrong.

Think again about a flower. It starts as a small seed. It might be a tiny brown seed, but when it is planted it grows into a large colorful flower. Again, there is a huge contrast between the seed and the final product which is the flower. If there was not this contrast, then the seed would be a dud.

The same principle can be made to a tree. It too starts out as a small seed and grows into something very different.

Growing in grace thus means to be much different than when we first started out. If a Christian is the same after 30 years then there is something seriously wrong. There should be a large contrast just like the examples above.

There are plenty of evidences of men in the bible growing in grace. Everyone knows about Peter in the gospels. He never could say the right thing. Yet by the time the book of Acts was written, he had grown into a great evangelist. Paul too is another great example. He went from killing Christians to being one! John was deemed the "Son of Thunder." No one is quite sure why but I am sure to get a name like that you would have to be a little rough around the edges. Yet John moved on to be called the "Disciple of Love." Yet another great contrast.

35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Why is it that so many cults and false religions spread today? Mainly because someone simply shows a person compassion. Compassion is what is lacking it these days. Compassion is the hook that can drag a person into something that they shouldn't be involved in. It is sad that so many Christians today lack compassion.

2 And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

So the question is, since you have been saved, have you noticed an increase in love? There should be a big contrast between the love you had (or lacked) when you were not saved and after you were saved.

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

How did you view the church before you stepped in and got saved? I remember being a teenager and riding my bike past churches in the neighborhood. I had never been to church. I always wondered what kind of people went to such a place (church). I figured that only only really bad people must go there or something like that. Almost like a rehab center. Rehab from what I don't know.

I was always open to going to church, I just never had anyone to go with. But upon hearing The Gospel, I was enlightened to realizing that my thoughts were correct. Only bad people go to church. And I was one of them. You see Christ died for the ungodly and for sinners. People that think they are good have no need for Christ or for a Savior. They are not worried about dying because they think they will automatically be taken to a better place. Such people are ignorant. They are ignorant about the bible for it says none are good or righteous. They are ignorant about themselves because they don't know how they appear in the sight of a righteous and Holy God.

Regardless, getting saved lead me to seeing God in a totally different way. That is another evidence of growth. Do you know more about The Savior now than before you got saved? There better be a huge contrast.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Do you want to forget the past things in your life before your got saved, or do you want to hold on to them? Do you want to be like Christ or do you want to fit in with the world around you? Being a child of Christ means you want to walk with Christ no matter what the cost.

This is what being born again truly is. You are given a second chance at life. Second chances are great. So what are you going to do with your second chance?

Those are the four evidences of "Growing in Grace". Next, lets talk about what God gives us to help us grow in grace. We are not left out in the cold, He has given us a bag of tools to use for His Glory.

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

You will never outgrow your need for reading the bible everyday. Millions died during the reformation period of the church. The goal of that whole period was to get a bible into the hand of every lay man. Yet what do we see today? A book that so many died for almost nobody reads.

You got to read The Book. And even better, go to The Book first. When you need advice or help, go to The Book. So many people would rather go to another person for help. Yet God has given us all that we need for success right in front of us. It is written in His Book.

3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Of course no one willingly wants to learn from the negative things and actions in this life. But the truth is, learning from a negative experience or mistake can give you knowledge that is not attainable in any other way. This is just one reason why one should always respect their elders. People that are older than you will more than likely have had more experiences than you have. The more experiences that you have, to more knowledgeable you are.

God uses the private devotional life as a third tool to help us grow.

You have to read the book. Why are there so many cults and denominations out there in the world? Because people don't read the book. Many people complain that they pray to God, but never hear from Him. The thing is, we hear from God every time we read His book. If you don't read the book, you are going to be swayed by every wind of doctrine.

Fourth, God uses the worship and fellowship of His church to help us grow.

1 Corinthians 12 is devoted to this. The church is made up of many parts:

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

All of us have needs and problems. God makes it clear that all of us have gifts. The gifts each of us have can be used to minister to one another. Personally, I am not very compassionate. But there are plenty of ladies (compassion seems to be lacking in many males) in my church that are. When someone needs a shoulder to cry on, I know exactly who to send them to.

In conclusion, I would like you to ask yourself if you are growing spiritually. If not, then why not? You can get started today!